Embossing implement with tape advanced by latched die members



Nov. 28, 1967 L.. BUCALO 3,354,999

EMBOSSING IMPLEMENT WITH TAPE ADVANCED BY LATCHED DIE MEMBERS Filed April 4, 1966 IM, MQHLMM United States Patent York Filed Apr. 4, 1966, Ser. No. 539,960 9 Claims. (Cl. 197-6.7)

ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE Disclosed is a hand-operated embossing apparatus for forming characters in embossable material such as embossable plastic tape used for forming 4tags or labels. The plastic tape is fed generally tangentially to a rotatable die wheel and approximately perpendicularly of the longitudinal axis of the apparatus. Spacing between embossed characters is obtained by a latching apparatus which holds the preselected male and female embossing dies in embossing relationship with the tape therebetween after actuating the embossing mechanism. With the dies and the tape in this embossing position and with the embossing actuating mechanism released, the die wheel is rotated until the latching apparatus releases, and during such rotation the tape is carried by the mating male and female dies.

The present invention relates generally to a structure for impressing symbols or other indicia into strips of embossable medium, and more particularly to an improved hand-held and hand-operated implement for making labels or tags, as from embossable plastic-strip medium.

In recent years, various plastic mediums have been developed which, undergo.v a color change when embossed and as a result provide a sharp contrast between embossed symbols and background area. A number of manually-operated tools or implements previously have been proposed for embossing the strip medium which tools generally have utilized various handle arrangements for compressing pairs of mating dies which define the various desired symbols. In these prior structures, the embossing operation usually actua-tes a ratchet-feed mechanism to advance the medium providing a fresh section to receive the next symbol. That is, with the embossable medium in the implement, Ithe operator selects the desired symbol (by positioning the forming dies for such a symbol in an operation location), then actuates a handle to bring the forming dies into mating relationship embossing the selected symbol into the tape. Upon release of the handle, the dies are withdrawn and a ratchet mechanism is actuated to advance a fresh section of the tape medium preparatory to embossing another symbol.

Although various forms of embossing implements according to this general structure have come into widespread use in recent years, certain problems have continued to be attendant both their use and manufacture. Specifically, for example, the ratchet mechanism for advancing the tape or strip medium is inherently rather expensive to manufacture and furthermore it sometimes allows the tape to slip, resulting in uneven spacing or worse, overlapping letters. Therefore, a need exists for an improved embossing implement which incorporates an effective and economical arrangement for advancing the strip medium between the embossing dies. Further in this regard, a need also exists for a structure of this type which permits varied space relationship between embossed symbols.

Another disadvantage of previously-proposed tape or strip embossing implements stems from various prior hand-grip arrangements incorporated in the designs. That is, grip mechanisms usually employed in prior embossing implements have been rather delicate, expensive to manufacture, and have necessitated an overall structure that is cumbersome to handle and store. Therefore, a need exists for a compact hand-operated embossing implement which may be economically manufactured, conveniently used, and easily stored and handled.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a manual embossing implement which avoids certain disadvantages of prior related structures.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved tape-embossing implement which avoids the necessity of a ratchet mechanism to advance the tape between forming dies and further kwhich advances the tape medium by positive engagement with the tape.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an embossing tool wherein the embossing dies engage the tape for embossment, and also to provide the positive engagement with the tape for advancing it.

Still one other object of the present invention is to pro- Vide an improved embossing implement incorporating an improved structure for advancing a strip medium, which structure enables controlled variable spacing between embossed symbols.

One other object of the present invention is to provide an improved tape embossing implement which incorporates an improved leverage arrangement for forcibly matin-g selected embossing dies.

One further object of the present invention is to provide an improved embossing implement which is clean in appearance,` compact, relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and effective as well as convenient in use.

Still one further object of the present invention is to provide an improved embossing implement to accomplish symbols in a strip of embossable medium, which implement includes a body or frame defining a passage for the strip medium and supporting die means defining a plurality of pairs of mating dies (one pair of dies for each symbol), the die means being movable to position a selected pair of mating dies within the passage for the strip medium; the frame structure also supporting a lever arrangement for forcibly gripping the strip medium between a pair of mating dies, and means for holding at least one of the dies in engagement with the strip medium after embossment, until the strip medium is moved, by a force applied through the die to advance the strip medium as desired through the defined passage.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following taken in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an embossing implement constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the implement of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken centrally through the structure of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view similar to FIGURE 3, showing certain operating components in another stage of operation; and

FIGURE 5 is a sectional View taken along line 5-5 of FIGURE 4.

In general with respect to the figures, it is to be emphasized that the particulars shown are by way of example only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be useful and readily understandable embodiment of the invention. However, the detailed showing is not to be taken as a limitation upon the scope of the invention which is defined by the appended claims,

forming along with the drawing, a part of this specification.

Referring initially to FIGURE l, the implement includes a body 12 having a cover 14 afiixed thereon to define a somewhat flat oval configuration. These members house an upper wheel 16 and a lower spoked wheel 18 which carry dies defining various symbols that can be embossed into a strip or tape medium 20. The medium 2t) may be embossed with various symbols as it moves through a passage in the body 12 which passage is also partly defined by dies in the upper and lower wheels.

A desired symbol is embossed into the medium 20 by revolving the interlocked wheels 16 and 18 to place the desired symbol in an operating position over the medium 20 as indicated by the visible symbols 22 carried on the upper wheel 16. Next, a handle 24 (shown at the bottom of the body 12) is moved upwardly as indicated by an arrow 26, to drive one selected individual spoke or segment 28 of the lower wheel 18, carrying a male die into forced engagement with a mating female die defined in the upper wheel 16. The medium 20, between the male and female forming dies is thus embossed with the selected symbol.

Upon releasing the spring `biased handle 24 to relieve the dies, the male die on the segment 28 continues to remain mated into the embossed symbol in the medium 20 until the interlocked wheels 16 and 18 are revolved a predetermined distance, after which the segment 28 drops out. This retained engagement between the male die on the segment 28 and the embossed symbol formed in the tape medium 28 provides positive engagement for displacing the tape medium 20 a predetermined distance to position a fresh section of tape to receive the next symbol. As a result, the system does not rely upon frictional engagement with the tape medium 22 to advance it, which frictional contact is invariably subject to slippage.

The detailed structure of the implement as somewhat functionally described above with reference to FIGURE 1 will 4be considered below. However, it is also an important feature of the structure that variable spacing may be accomplished between symbols. This spacing is determined by the position of a spring 30 which incorporates an adjustment tab 32. More specifically, the spring 30 is transversely slidable on a bar 31 of the body 12 for displacement substantially parallel the length of the tape medium 20. Depending upon the displacement of the spring 30, various spacing is provided Ibetween the symbols 34 embossed into the medium 20.

Considering the structure of the exemplary embodiment in greater detail, the body 12 is of a somewhat iiat oval configuration, the upper surface 36 (FIGURE 3) of which defines various internal structures while the lower surface 37 is generally fiat except for an indented channel 38 provided to contain the handle 24 and associated structure. The body 12 may be formed of plastic or other material as by molding or using other well known techniques readily available for the manufacture of such a component.

The body 12 mates with the oval cover 14 (FIGURE 3) the two members Ibeing locked together by an eyelet rivet 40 extending through the rear ends of these members (remote from the tape passage). Thus, lthe rivet 40 serves not only to hold the body 12 and the cover 14 together but also provides a bore 42 by which the unit can be hung or carried.

The forward exterior of the cover 14 (opposed to the rivet 40) is provided with a pointer or indicator 44 (FIGURE 2) which indicates the particular symbol 22 that is positioned for embossing the tape. The indicator 44 may be molded into the cover 14, which may be formed of plastic or other convenient material compatible with the body 12, as well known in the prior art.

Inside the housing defined by the mated body 12 and and the cover 14, a central annulus 46 (FIGURE 3) extends downward from the cover 14 to define a bore 48 which receives a hollow, upwardly-extending stub shaft 50 that is integral with the body 12. The upper and lower wheels 16 and 18 are carried concentrically on the stub shaft 50, held locked together between the annulus 46 and a shoulder 52 defined in the stub shaft 50.

The upper wheel 16 defining female symbol dies, functions as an anvil against which the tape 20 is urged upon ilexure of a radial segment 28 of the lower wheel 18 carrying the male symbol dies. Considering these wheels in more detail the upper wheel 16 has a fiat annular face 54 in which spaced apart female dies of the various symbols are contained. The lower wheel 18 then carries the male dies 56, representative of the mating symbols in facing relationship to the annulur face 54. It is to be noted, that each of the dies 56 is carried on a separate radially-extending spoke or segment 28 of the lower wheel 18. These segments 28 are formed of resilient material, e.g. plastic so that they may be resiliently displaced to forcibly clamp the tape medium 20 between the dies.

The upper wheel 16 has an integrally-formed concentric annular ridge 58 on its lower side, which spaces the wheels apart. The lower wheel 18 has a concentric annular ridge 60 which is matingly received in a groove 62 of the upper wheel to establish somewhat of a pivot for engagement in stressing the segments 28. On the opposite side of the lower wheel 18 from the ridge 60, concentric ridges 64 and 66 space the lower wheel apart from the body 12.

The interlocked wheels 16 and 18 are rotatably carried on the shaft 50 to facilitate placement of various selected pairs of mating dies in an operative position. The precise indexing of a selected pair of dies is accomplished by a detent spring y68 (FIGURE 2) supported on posts 70 integral with the body 12. The detent spring 68 is essentially a leaf spring extending between the posts 70 with a detent 72 formed therebetween to engage grooves 74 in the wheel 16, which are coincident with the spaces between the radial segments 28.

Mating relationship between selected dies is accomplished by a lever and spring anrrangement including the handle 24. Specifically, the handle 24 (FIGURE 3) is pivotally carried on a mounting post 76, formed for example of metal and retained within the body 12 by an enlarged stud head 78. The mounting post 76 passes freely through a bore 88 in a leaf spring 82 that is somewhat cantilevered to the Ibody 12 by the rivet 48. The free end of the spring 82 extends transversely (parallel the post 76) to terminate at an abutment surface 84 for selective engagement with one of the die-carrying segments 28. This engagement is accomplished by movement of the handle 24 as indicated, a fulcrum 86 of which engages and flattens the spring 82 into the channel 38 thereby lifting the abument surface 84 to engage one of the segments 28 which is then in turn lifted to forcibly mate a male die 56 with a female die formed in the surface 54, with the tape medium Z0 therebetween. As a result, a symbol in accordance with Ithe selected pair of dies is embossed into the tape medium 20.

As the segment 28 (FIGURE 4) is lifted an internal generally vertical arm 88 of the spring 30 moves under the segment 28 as shown in FIGURE 4 to hold the segment in a raised position locked to the embossed symbol in the tape medium 20. As a result, positive engagement exists Ibetween the wheels 16 and 18 and the tape medium 20. Therefore, as the wheels are revolved in a counterclockwise direction the tape medium 20 is moved tangentially through the tape passage as the segment 28 (FIGURE 4) slides over the arm 88. The extent of the movement is controlled by the position of the spring 30 (FIGURE 2) because the segment 28 is held in a raised position until it is revolved past the arm 88 (FIGURE 4). That is, upon revolving the wheels 16 and 18, the tape medium 20 locked therebetween is carried forward through the passage until the width of the spring 30 is passed enabling the raised segment 28a (FIGURE 5) of the lower wheel 18, to drop back to its residual position, thereby automatically releasing the tape 20 to permit further movement of the wheels, leaving the tape stationary to receive the next embossed symbol. The tape medium 20 is held in the passage as explained by a forward structure 90 (FIGURE 2) integral with the body 12. Specifically, the structure 90 defines the passage 92 (FIGURE 2) for the tape medium, extending on either side of the selected dies. The tape medium 20- is held in position in the passage 92 by a fiat spring 94 affixed to the structure 90' by a strap 96 and carrying a friction detent 98 for engaging thetape medium 20.

Considering the operation of the exemplary embodiment in an order of sequence, assume that a label or tag is to be embossed from a strip of the medium 20. Initially, the strip of medium 20, is inserted under the fiat holding spring 94 as shown in FIGURE 2, then forced into position within the structure 90. Of course, the extent to which the strip is forced into the passage 92 depends upon the desired margin; however, in any event the strip is placed beyond the pointer 44 so that it lies between selected dies indicated by the pointer.`

Next, the wheels 16 and 18 are revolved in a counterclockwise direction until the desired symbol 22 is indicated by the pointer or indicator 44 (FIGURE 2). Next, the handle 24 (FIGURE 3) is raised as by a hand gripping action, toward the body 12. In raising the handle 24, the cantilevered leaf spring 82 is flexed upwardly so that the abutment 84 lifts a selected radial segment 28 first to engage the tape medium 20 and then to clamp the tape medium between the mating dies. As a result of this clamping engagement by the displaced segment 28, it is locked into engagement with the tape medium by the spring arm S8 (FIGURE 4). That is, the selected male die of the lower wheel 18 is matingly engaged with the tape medium 20. To break this engagement and concurrently move the tape medium 20 through the passage 92 to provide a fresh section to receive the next letter, the wheels 16 and 18 are revolved in a counterclockwise dirction. As shown in FIGURE 5 movement of the raised segment 28a also moves the tape medium 2f) (shown in phantom) until the segment 28a passes the spring arm 88 and may drop back to a lower position in which it is disengaged from the tape medium 20. That is, the tape medium 20 is carried until the trailing edge of the segment 28a falls from the arm 88 as shown in FIG- URE 5. Therefore, the amount of movement may be controlled by varying the position of the spring 30 carrying the spring arm 88. In this regard, it may be desirable to -do some preliminary embossing to accomplish the desired spaced relationship between adjacent symbols.

After a symbol has been embossed into the tape medium Ztl and the medium has been advanced as explained above by counterclockwise rotation of the Wheels 16 and 18, the flat spring 94 (FIGURE 2) with the detent 98 holds the strip medium 20 against further movement as the wheels 16 and 18 are revolved to select another symbol for embossment. Thereafter the operation is repeated until the desired label or tag is accomplished.

Upon completion of a desired label or tag, the medium is simply pulled from the passage 92 defined by the structure 96 and the die wheels. At the conclusion of the period of use of the embossing implement, the handle 24 (FIG- URE 3) may be seated in the channel 38 by revolving the post 76 so that the handle 24 will fold down into the channel swinging opposed to the manner indicated during an embossing stroke. As a result, the structure is clean, conveniently stored, and yet easily prepared for re-use.

In view of the above, several important advantages and features of the present invention are readily apparent. However, other advantages and features also will be apparent to persons skilled in the art, as will various other forms of the present invention. Therefore, as indicated, the invention is not to be limited in scope in accordance with the disclosed embodiment, but rather shall be in interpreted in accordance with the claims set forth below.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for embossing symbols into a strip medium, comprising:

means dening a passage for said strip medium;

die means defining a plurality of pairs of mating dies for said symbols, said die means being rotatable to position a select mating pair of said dies in said passage;

means for displacing at least one die of said select pair of dies to accomplish forceful engagement between said select pair of mating dies; and

latch means for holding said one die of said select pair displaced in an embossing relationship with said strip and the other die of said select pair after said means for displacing is returned to its original position, said die means being rotatable while said latch means holds said select pair of dies and said strip in an embossing relationship, said latch means being arranged so that after a predetermined amount of Iotation of said die means, said latch means is released, whereby said strip medium is advanced by said selected die pair as said selected die pair is held in embossing relation by said latch means and rotated, and the advance of said strip medium is terminated when said latch means is released after said predetermined rotation of said die means.

2. An embossing apparatus according to claim 1 Wherein said die means comprises a first die wheel defining female dies of said symbols and a second die wheel defining male dies of said symbols each of said male dies being carried on separate radial spoke tabs of said second die wheel and displaceable for forceful engagement with a mating female die.

3. An embossing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said latch means comprises a leaf spring means for locked engagement with said one die whereby to hold said die displaced, releasable upon rotational movement of said one die beyond said leaf spring.

4. An embossing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for displacing at least one die of said select pair comprises a back support for the other of said select pair of mating dies; and a lever mechanism for forcing said one die into forceful engagement with said other die.

5. An embossing 4apparatus according to claim 1 Wherein said die means comprises a first die wheel defining female dies of said symbols and a second die wheel detining male dies of said symbols each of said male dies being carried on separate radial spoke tabs of said second die wheel and displaceable for forceful engagement with a mating female die; and wherein said latch means comprises a leaf spring means for locked engagement with said one die whereby to hold said die displaced, releasable upon rotational movement of said one die beyond said leaf spring.

6. An embossing apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said leaf spring means is movable tangential to said second die wheel whereby to vary the extent of movement of said second die wheel to release said latch means.

7. An embossing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for displacing at least one die of said select pair comprises a back support for the other of said select pair of mating dies; and a handle having a fixed fulcrum and pivotally afiixed to said means defining a passage;

a leaf spring cantilevered to said means defining a passage and extending to engage said one die and said fulcrum.

8. An embossing apparatus according to claim 7 including a rotatable pivot post for affixing said handle whereby to remove said fulcrum from contact with said leaf spring.

9. An embossing apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said die means comprises a first die wheel dening female dies of said symbols and a second die wheel dening male dies of said symbols each of said male dies being carried on separate radial spoke tabs of said second die wheel and displ-aceable for forceful engagement with a mating female die; and wherein said latch means cornprises a leaf spring means for locked engagement with said one die whereby to hold said die displaced, releasable upon rotational movement of said one die beyond said leaf spring.

8/1924 4/1964 11/1964 5/1965 8/1966v l0f/1966y 10/1966 Bergen 197-6.7 Bogeaus 197-6.7 Avery l97-6.7 Stubbmann 197'-6.7 Bremer et al. 197-6.7 Bremer 197-6.7 Bremer et al. 197-6.7

ROBERT E. PULFREY, Primary Examiner.

E. S. BURR, Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN APPARATUS FOR EMBOSSING SYMBOLS INTO A STRIP MEDIUM, COMPRISING: MEANS DEFINING A PASSAGE FOR SAID STRIP MEDIUM; DIE MEANS DEFINING A PLURALITY OF PAIRS OF MATING DIES FOR SAID SYMBOLS, SAID DIE MEANS BEING ROTABLE TO POSITION A SELECT MATING PAIR OF SAID DIES IN SAID PASSAGE; MEANS FOR DISPLACING AT LEAST ONE DIE OF SAID SELECT PAIR OF DIES TO ACCOMPLISH FORCEFUL ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN SAID SELECT PAIR OF MATING DIES; AND LATCH MEANS FOR HOLDING SAID ONE DIE OF SAID SELECT PAIR DISPLACED IN AN EMBOSSING RELATIONSHIP WITH SAID STRIP AND THE OTHER DIE OF SAID SELECT PAIR AFTER SAID MEANS FOR DISPLACING IS RETURNED TO ITS ORIGINAL POSITION, SAID DIE MEANS BEING ROTATABLE WHILE SAID LATCH MEANS HOLDS SAID SELECT PAIR OF DIES AND SAID STRIP IN AN EMBOSSING RELATIONSHIP, SAID LATCH MEANS BEING ARRANGED SO THAT AFTER A PREDETERMINED AMOUNT OF ROTATION OF SAID DIE MEANS, SAID LATCH MEANS IS RELEASED, WHEREBY SAID STRIP MEDIUM IS ADVANCED BY SAID SELECTED DIE PAIR AS SAID SELECTED DIE PAIR IS HELD IN EMBOSSING RELATION BY SAID LATCH MEANS AND ROTATED, AND THE ADVANCE OF SAID STRIP MEDIUM IS TERMINATED WHEN SAID LATCH MEANS IS RELEASED AFTER SAID PREDETERMINED ROTATION OF SAID DIE MEANS. 